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We listen, think independently, advise & take action.

Your Financial Plan Should Begin With You

Your financial life is about more than accounts, investments and numbers. It reflects what matters to you, the future you want to create and what it means for you to feel secure.  

That is why our complimentary consultation begins with a conversation, not a sales presentation. 

This meeting is designed to help you think more clearly about your financial life, make better-informed decisions and determine what it may take to move from where you are today to where you want to be. 

A Conversation About What Matters to You

During your consultation, your financial advisor will take the time to understand what is most important to you, the values that guide your decisions, your short- and long-term goals, what financial security means to you, the emotions and experiences that influence how you think about money, what you hope to accomplish (and when), and any financial concerns or obstacles that may stand in your way.

Rather than beginning with investment choices or a presentation about our firm, we begin by listening. The conversation is focused on understanding your situation, your needs and the life you want your money to support.

From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Once we understand what matters to you, we help bring your financial picture into focus. Together we will clarify:

Where you are today: Your current financial situation, priorities and concerns.

Where you want to go: The goals you want to achieve, the life you envision and the time frame in which you would like to get there.

What may be needed to close the gap: The planning decisions and strategies that can help move you toward your desired future.

These insights can then serve as the foundation for a personalized financial plan; one designed to help you progress from where you are now toward where you want to be, within a time frame that reflects your priorities.

What to Expect from Your Consultation

Our complimentary consultation is intended to be valuable in its own right. Its purpose is not to teach you about financial products or lead with our investment recommendations. It is an opportunity for us to understand you and for you to gain greater clarity about your financial direction. 

We will gladly answer questions about our firm, our services and our approach. But the heart of the conversation remains the same: you, your life and the decisions in front of you. 

Making Sure Both Partners Are Heard

When we meet with a couple, we actively involve both partners in the conversation, even when one person typically takes the lead in managing the household’s finances.

Each partner may have different experiences, concerns and ideas about money. Hearing from both helps us develop a more complete understanding of the household and reduces the risk of overlooking something important.

A financial plan is more effective when both people believe in it. Our goal is to ensure couples get on the same page and move in the same direction together.

Begin With a Meaningful Conversation.

You do not need to have every goal defined or every financial document organized before speaking with us. You simply need to be ready for an open conversation about where you are, what matters to you and where you would like to go.

Request a complimentary consultation and take the first step toward a financial plan built around your life.

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How We Can Help

Comprehensive Financial Planning

We take a thoughtful and integrated approach to our clients’ financial lives. Our advisors consider all your assets and liabilities and include variables such as future earnings, spending requirements, inflation, medical expenses and life goals. As life happens, we adjust your plan accordingly so that it continues to remain aligned with your goals.

Using your goals as a guide, we craft the best solutions for your needs:

  • retirement planning
    Retirement
    Planning

    Each client’s lifestyle requires distinct consideration, so we work to shape your tomorrow through retirement planning services with a personal touch.

  • tax planning
    Tax
    Planning

    Altfest can identify ways you may not have considered to structure your finances in tax-advantaged ways.

  • estate planning
    Estate
    Planning

    We give peace of mind to singles, couples and families through our advice on the best ways to share assets in the future.

  • insurance
    Insurance

    Altfest assesses your insurance needs and introduces professionals who can help protect your family and business for years to come.

  • investment management
    Investment
    Review

    We carefully review your current portfolio and offer smart suggestions to match your goals and reduce risk.

  • company benefits
    Company
    Benefits

    Altfest will strive to understand the important issues of your compensation and benefits, including stock options, and help you optimize your benefits package.

  • education planning
    Education
    Planning

    We offer innovative ideas to save and accumulate, or to benefit from tax-advantaged programs to finance education.

  • cash flow analysis
    Cash Flow
    Goal Planning

    We create strategies to manage your monthly and longer-term expenses in a way that reflects your objectives.

  • charitable giving
    Charitable
    Giving

    Learn about new approaches to supporting the organizations you care about most while managing tax and cash-flow implications.

Want to take a deeper dive? Learn more about our comprehensive approach.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Altfest

How long has Altfest been in business?
Altfest was founded in 1983 and has dutifully guided clients ever since. We have operated as fee-only fiduciary advisors since the firm began.

What are your team’s credentials?
Our team includes professionals with credentials such as CFP®, CFA, and CPA, as well as advanced degrees in finance and related fields. Your advisor can explain which team members will contribute to your financial plan and the experience each person brings.

How diverse is your advisor team?
Our advisors and planning specialists bring a wide range of professional backgrounds, areas of expertise, and perspectives to our clients. That breadth helps us consider your financial life from multiple angles.

How do you determine my asset allocation?
We begin by getting to know you; your goals, motivations, family, etc. From there we expand the conversation to include your time horizon, cash-flow needs, risk tolerance, and overall financial standing.

Armed with this information, our team builds you a comprehensive financial plan and an investment portfolio that is both suited to your plan and designed to keep risk at a comfortable level.

What services are included in your fees?
Our clients receive active portfolio management and comprehensive integrated financial planning. Since every client situation is unique, so are the specific planning services we provide for each client.

Financial plans may contain, but are not limited to, cash flow analysis, retirement planning, estate planning, tax mitigation strategies, insurance product guidance, and/or business sale analysis. We take the time to answer all your questions about our services and fees. We know that selecting a financial advisor is an important decision, and we want you to make the most informed decision possible (even if you choose not to work with us).

Do I have to meet you at one of your offices? What if I need to meet outside normal working hours?
Many of our clients have busy schedules. Our team strives to remain as flexible as we can to meet their scheduling needs. We have offices in New York City and Miami for clients who wish to come to us, but we work with clients across the United States. Our advisors often meet with clients via video call but also spend a good deal of time discussing financial plans with our clients in their living room or somewhere else convenient to them.

Does Altfest have account minimums?
Our comprehensive planning and investment strategies are available to clients with $1 million or more in investable assets, but we also offer a separate financial planning retainer option. The best way to determine which arrangement is the best fit for you is to schedule a complimentary consultation with a member of our team.

Do you have other clients like me?
We work with clients in many circumstances, including physicians, dentists, business owners, executives, and those approaching or living in retirement. We’ll start by learning about your particular goals and challenges so we can decide together whether our experience is a good fit.

OUR CLIENTS

Altfest is proud to offer personalized financial planning and investment management services that are catered to each individual's unique needs.



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Only by placing you at the core of everything we do can we truly meet your needs. We’ve found that the most successful solutions begin by asking the right questions.

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